The Confluence

Between the second and third periods, I Tweeted “The word that keeps popping in my head when I watch the Pens in both Game 5 and 6 is “incredulous”.

I couldn’t believe just how much the Senators had been out-working the Penguins since the end of Game Four. And after two periods it sure as hell looked like they were headed back to the Igloo for a Game Seven that no one in the Steel City would be looking forward to.

But thank goodness they finally started dictating the play in the third period. The Pens out-shot the Sens 18-4, eventually getting the tying goal from Matt Cooke to force overtime, and getting the game-winner from Pascal Dupuis on a one-time wrister past Pascal Leclaire at 9:56 of overtime to give the Pens a 4-3 win and a 4-2 series win.

Unless Montreal can complete their comeback over Washington, the Penguins will face the winner of the Buffalo/Boston series. It is still possible for the Penguins to play both Philly (Montreal and Buffalo win) and Montreal (Montreal and Boston win).

Comments

April 25, 2008 - Rangers go up 3-0 in Game 1 of the 2nd round series. Penguins come back and win 5-4.

April 25, 2009 - Flyers go up 3-0 in Game 6 of the 1st round series. Penguins come back and win 5-3.

Then tonight.

It’s gotta be more than coincidence.

Posted by
pens fan in baltimore
on 04/25/10 at 12:46 AM ET

Tony, the Pens outshot Ottawa 42-23 in regulation of Game 5. Leclaire was phenomenal and the #1 reason the Sens made it to Game 6. Not saying the Sens didn’t deserve to win, but I don’t think the Pens stopped playing their game on Thursday.

Ottawa simply turned it up a notch and then some and they were tremendous at blocking shots and preventing 2nd opportunities. They were the better team in OT, but not by much (shots were 21-17). First OT they definitely were the better team, 2nd OT was pretty even with both teams having good chances, and then in the 3rd OT the Pens were coming on strong but then the Sens scored.

So really, the first half of tonight’s game was the only game in the series where the Pens really stopped playing their game, aside from Game 1 when Fleury wasn’t good and the Sens were lucky with that lucky bounce on their 3rd goal.

The defense can get a lot better. Thankfully unless the Sabres and Caps both win their series, it looks like the Pens will have home ice in the 2nd round… Their offense is on fire (24 goals this series and 7 for 29 on the PP which is 24%), so hopefully they fix their defense in the 2nd round.

Gotta give props to the Sens, they showed a lot of heart, but the Pens were just too much in the 3rd period tonight.

Can we Quit Blowing the Pens!! Out side of the 2nd Period in Game 5 They were Bad!! The 1st Period when Morphine Dan had to to call a TO after they were down 2-0 & talk to them like school Children, they didn’t even show up to start the game. flipped the switch to the OFF position & coasted, Then they started to play better & the 2nd they dominated, But still Refuse to shoot high on LeClaire

Posted by
Evilpens
on 04/25/10 at 08:04 AM ET

I wonder what it would be like if the Pens actually played difficult competition before the Cup finals. And don’t cite the Caps from last year, they suck a D….